IDENTITY ALERT:
The Fight to Defend Your Identity
and Personal Information
A frightening crime with an untraceable weapon, identity theft is creating anxiety across
the country. In fact, 1 incident every 3 seconds of identity fraud is occurring in households
throughout America1. This horrible and personal crime can cause Americans to live their lives
in fear—opening each monthly bank statement with bated breath.
With the anonymity of computer keyboards and high level technologies, imposters, and
hackers can commit identity–related crimes on any unsuspecting victim, from anywhere in
the world. With the nine simple digits of a Social Security number, or an electronic scan of
your debit card, an identity thief can wreak havoc on your personal, legal or financial life for
months or years—and sometimes with no detection at all.
It falls to you to raise your level of identity theft awareness—and to help defend yourself
against a crime that can drain your time, your resources, and your good name.
1
www.identitytheftassistance.org “Research and Statistics” Identity Theft Assistance Center, 2012.
WHAT IS IDENTITY THEFT?
According to the U.S. Department of Justice2:
“Identity theft is a crime. Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used
to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses
another person’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception,
typically for economic gain.”
In short, identity theft can be defined as the fraudulent use of personal
information to commit crimes. These crimes can often end in tax fraud and
credit fraud, but are also perpetrated for insurance, medical or legal purposes.
2
www.Justice.gov “What Are Identity Theft and Identity Fraud?”
IDENTITY THEFT:
THE NUMBERS
How the Facts and Figures Affect
Your Day-To-Day Life
The prospect of a faceless online hacker stealing your personal identity
information may not resonate with you at first—at least not until you get
a frightening look at the numbers that tell the true story of identity theft.
Identity Theft was the number one complaint category for the past
13 years.3
The facts and figures compiled below shed some light on the growing
problem:
• There were 12.6 million adult victims of identity theft in 20124
• 1 in 20 consumers were victims of identity theft in 20124
• The total loss in new account fraud, where a criminal uses a
victim’s personal information to open a new credit card or loan,
reported just under $10 billion in 2012.4
• Credit card fraud accounts for two-thirds of all ID theft5
• 1 in 4 data breach letter recipients became a victim of identity
fraud, with breaches involving Social Security numbers to be the
most damaging.5
• Government documents/benefits fraud (46%) was the most
common form of reported identity theft, followed by credit card
fraud (13%), phone or utilities fraud (10%), and bank fraud (6%).
Other significant categories of identity theft reported by victims
were employment-related fraud (5%) and loan fraud (2%).3
• Consumers reported paying over $1.4 billion in one million
fraud-related cases. The median amount was $535. Of these
fraud related cases 38% were contacted through email, 34% by
telephone, and 9% through mail.3
3
FTC. “Consumer Sentinel Network Data.” January-December 2012.
4
ullivan, B. (2012). ID Theft on the rise again: 12.6 million victims in 2012, study
S
shows. NBC News
5
ww.identitytheftassistance.org “Research and Statistics” Identity Theft
w
Assistance Center, 2012
TO CATCH A THIEF
What You’re Leaving Behind, and How
Identity Thieves are Following the Trail
At work, on the town or sitting at home, you may be most vulnerable to
identity theft when you least expect it. The following are some of the ways
that identity thieves commit their crimes:
Phishing:
When fake emails are so well produced, they can be almost impossible
to discern from legitimate ones. If you get tricked into clicking a link or
submitting information through a fake email, you can find yourself on a
long road to losing your passwords, your accounts and your data.
Online Shopping:
Consumers beware: shopping online has become a phenomenon
around the world, and it’s become one of the easiest ways to have your
information stolen. Whether you’re shopping at duplicate retail sites
or through unsecured payment systems, your credit/debit cards could
be at risk.
Data Breaches:
If you store personal information with any financial or business
organization—even a huge insurance or medical corporation—your files
could be compromised in a large-scale data breach.
Malware and Viruses:
With thousands of new viruses emerging daily, your computer and your
information can be hacked through any website, Internet program or
file sharing application.
Keystroke Logging:
On public computers, gas station pump displays and ATM keypads,
criminals and hackers can install technologies to trace the buttons you
press as you enter your card numbers, passwords and PINs.
P2P File-Sharing:
File sharing sites like Bearshare and Frostwire connect millions of
users across the world — and they also connect unsuspecting music
fans with viruses and open connections to unsecured networks.
Vishing:
Just as you can be tricked into divulging personal or protected
information through a text message or website, you should also be wary
of giving away information over the phone or through voice messages.
Shoulder Surfing:
Technology can make stealing identities easier than ever before,
but old-fashioned ways are still just as effective at manipulating
unsuspecting victims. Through shoulder surfing, any identity imposter
can stand behind you with a camera—or even their own eyes—and
watch as you enter passwords, personal identification numbers or
private information.
Dumpster Diving:
Though not the most glamorous of identity stealing techniques, many
criminals and fraud-minded imposters have taken to sorting through
garbage to find old bills, recent receipts and other discarded personal
information that can be easily stolen.
Change of Address:
This is a classic identity theft technique—thieves change the address
where you receive mail and divert your personal information into the
wrong hands.
Mail Theft:
Less creative than the change of address method, identity thieves will
often simply search for unlocked or unwatched mailboxes, and rip the
mail directly from the box itself—often in search of what can be found
on credit card statements and tax forms or financial and personal
information.
Stolen Wallet:
While some thieves might be after your wallet or purse for the money
inside, many others will be more interested in the credit cards, Social
Security card and other personal identification that you keep inside.
ATM Overlays:
Hidden from the untrained eye, thieves install these devices at ATM
machines and gas pumps to steal your account information when you
insert your card, and transmit it to a nearby computer.
THE OTHER SIDE OF IDENTITY THEFT
Out For More Than Just Money, Identity Thieves Can Take
Advantage of Your Medical or Criminal History
When identity imposters decide to go after your PINs,
passwords and personal information, they are not always simply
trying to drain your bank accounts. They may be looking for
something much more specific, and for something that can
sacrifice your good name and your future plans.
Medical Identity Theft
You may not notice that your medical identity has been stolen
until it comes time for you to receive medical treatment or
make a claim on your health insurance. With this kind of theft,
imposters will use your name or insurance information to get
medical coverage that they may not be able to afford.
Criminal Record Identity Theft
One of the scariest forms of identity theft is when criminals
go after your government records. Thieves could use your
information to apply for a job, avoid paying a traffic ticket or
dodge arrest.
Social Security Identity Theft
When your Social Security number is stolen by an identity thief,
they can use the information to create new Social Security
cards, access a number of public records or steal your name and
personal information completely—assuming your identity.
Tax-Related Identity Theft
Using a stolen Social Security number, identity thieves can file
fraudulent tax returns and receive refunds before you even file.
HOW IDENTITY THIEVES ARE
STEALING YOUR IDENTITY
Based on FTC Complaints in 20123, These
Are The Most Common Ways Thieves
Steal Information.
3
FTC. “Consumer Sentinel Network Data.” January-December 2012
HELP STOP IDENTITY THEFT BEFORE IT HAPPENS
Follow These Precautions and Protection Tips To Set Up a Line of
Defense Against Imposters
In the Mail
• Avoid placing outgoing mail into unlocked curbside mailboxes.
• Add a slot or a lock to your mailbox at home to prevent access to your private mail.
• Do not write account numbers or personal information on the outside of your envelopes.
• Have the post office hold your mail if you will be leaving town for more than a day or two.
Shopping Online
• Make sure you are doing business or shopping on a
secure site before you provide any information. Make
sure the site features a lock in the search bar and uses
an “https” address.
• Check your billing statements for the company you
purchased from to verify the correct amount and the
correct purchase information.
• Avoid shopping from public Wi-Fi hotspots.
• Strengthen your shopping website passwords before
making any purchases, and be sure to share only the
necessary information when creating a login account
or page.
Credit and Debit Cards
• When possible, use credit cards instead of debit cards.
If your information is stolen from a debit card, an
imposter can drain the cash from a checking or savings
account—instead of running up your bill on a credit
card.
• Make sure that cashiers swipe your credit or debit
cards in front of you, and are not swiping them
multiple times or through separate machines.
• Check your entire statement every time you receive
it in the mail for your debit card or credit card, and
be sure to account for every purchase or withdrawal.
If banking online, check your statements as often as
possible.
• Cancel your card immediately if you notice any
suspicious charges or activity.
• Do not carry more debit or credit cards than are
absolutely necessary.
At the Bank
• Use traveler’s checks when possible, which are more difficult to duplicate than personal checks.
• Investigate if you are receiving late statements or late correspondences from your bank.
• Avoid giving personal information over the phone to anyone who claims they are working for a bank or
credit card company (unless you previously initiated the contact).
• Use direct deposit when possible to avoid having a check that can be stolen from a payroll department
or from the mail.
In Your Wallet/At Your Home
• Invest in a cross-cut shredder for all of your personal, financial or legal records, documents or
correspondences. Throwing them away before shredding can leave them prone to dumpster diving
imposters.
• Do not carry your Social Security card in your wallet or your purse. Keep it in a safe place at home, and
only bring it out when you need it.
• Retrieve your mail promptly, and be sure to investigate if your mail is irregularly late or misses a day.
• Keep your wallet and purse secured when you are out in public, and avoid carrying more identifying
personal information than is necessary.
The Last Line of Defense
• Use safe Internet passwords with a combination of letters and numbers. Do not make the passwords too
obvious, use them for too many accounts, or keep them written in plain sight.
• Do not give your credit card information over the phone, unless you made first contact with the
company.
• Be suspicious of any unexpected emails asking for personal information.
• Destroy the hard drive of your computer if you are selling it or discarding it. Beyond just erasing the
hard drive, it should be physically destroyed.
• Safeguard your personal information
at all costs, and educate yourself as
much as possible about the many
scams, imposters, hacks and schemes
that are used to procure personal
information.
HOW TO PICK UP THE PIECES AFTER IDENTITY THEFT
If You’re the Victim of an Identity-Related Crime, Here’s How You Can
Begin to Repair the Damage
Step 1: Contact the Police
Instead of sitting stunned or helpless after an identity crime is discovered, you should take action right away. Start by
contacting your local police or sheriff’s department. Prepare and provide as much information as possible about what
may have led to the identity theft.
Once your report is filed, you should be sure to do the following:
• Report the crime to your state law enforcement (to take advantage
of recently toughened state laws regarding identity crimes)
• Obtain a copy of the police report to pursue your case with creditors
• Notify local authorities in the location where your identity was likely stolen
Step 2: Check Your Bank Statements and Balances
Your bank accounts should be the first place that you turn once a breach is detected.
Timing is important when it comes to protecting your savings, and taking the right steps can keep you from losing
hundreds or thousands of dollars.
• Close your account right away and place stop payments on any stolen checks.
• Ask the bank to activate its check verification service to prevent identity imposters from cashing checks on your
account
• Contact the Shared Check Authorization Network (800-262-7771) to find out if fraudulent checks are being
passed in your name
• Order a free copy of the ChexSystems report that lists checking accounts opened in your name.
ChexSystems, Inc.: 1-800-428-9623 or www.consumerdebit.com
• Contact businesses that accepted bad checks and report that you are a victim of identity theft.
If you think the fraud may exist beyond your current account—and an identity thief may have opened a new account in
your name—contact your bank’s consumer reporting service to close the account before it is too late.
Step 3: Contact the Credit Reporting Agencies
Because many identity thieves are looking to take advantage of open lines of credit, the three major credit reporting
agencies should play a large role in helping you recover from your stolen identity.
Consumers can receive a free credit report yearly by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. Monitoring your credit report will
display all information about your credit, allow you to dispute any discrepancies, and give you notification if your credit is
being used without your permission.
You should contact one of the reporting agencies as soon as possible to have your credit account flagged with a
fraud alert. This agency is then required by law to contact the other two. To contact the three major agencies, use the
following numbers:
Equifax: 800-525-6285
Experian: 888-397-3742
TransUnion: 800-680-7289
www.equifax.com
www.experian.com
www.transunion.com
Once you contact an agency:
-You can place an alert on your accounts for seven years after any identity theft
-You will receive two free credit reports within 12 months after your identity theft.
-A security freeze: a freeze can be placed on your credit by visiting any of the above credit reporting agencies.
If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, each credit reporting agency has the option to place a free 90 day
fraud alert on your account. Communication will be received from each credit reporting agency if any activity occurs
on your credit.
STAY SECURE WHEN
REPORTING YOUR IDENTITY
THEFT
Step 4: Connect with Your Creditors
Your creditors can be hit by identity theft as hard as
you are, and it will be up to you to notify them as soon
as possible of any suspicious activity on your account.
The quicker you act, the easier the resolution will be.
You should contact your creditor’s fraud department
the second you discover any unauthorized charges,
and you will be able to limit the charges that you are
responsible for paying.
Step 5: Report the Details of Your Case to the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The national authority on identity theft and identityrelated crimes, the FTC maintains an extensive
database used to track, stop and catch identity thieves
around the United States. You can contact the FTC
through their toll-free hotline at 877-IDTHEFT www.ftc.
gov.
• Report the theft as soon as possible
to ensure that you and your personal
information are protected.
• Keep a copy or record of any and all
correspondence with the authorities,
your financial institutions and any credit
reporting agencies.
• Avoid using originals of any personal
documents when possible; use notarized
and certified copies instead.
• Follow-up with all requests and actions,
and be persistent in clearing your name and
securing your information.
VICTIM ASSISTANCE
Contact the National Organization for Victim
Assistance if you are a victim of identity theft for
additional assistance at www.trynova.org
60 East Rio Salado Parkway
Suite 400
Tempe, AZ 85281
1-800-543-3562
LifeLock.com
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